Hot sunny days in the SW is the dearth of most midwest plants. I have erected a shade cover over my veg garden which works great. You could amend the soil with pasteurized steer manure at 4:1 soil to manure, 2-3 in. mulching and erect a 4 ft. tall shade structure over the hostas. This environment should be very good as long as the soil stays on the moist side.

Container growing hosta and your climate are two seperate issues. Generally crown root is the leading failure of hostas in containers. The problem with your climate is the plant needs a period of dormancy with temps below 40 degrees. Shade is easy.
I would try an inexpensive smaller variety. Im sure Mom would love to see one of the lush huge ones but thats more problematic. You'll need to water daily at least during your brutal summer...keep the soil moist not soggy. You'll also need a weak feed since you'll be watering out the soils nutrients.
The dorminacy issue you'll have to get creative with if you want it to live long. Mom might be happy to see it for a short period..but some avid gardeners also really mourn the loss of a plant. If your mom misses the midwest so desperately letting the plant die off may make matters worse.
No, it will never thrive there but its not impossible. Try contacting the universities extension Master Gardeners. There has to be hosta enthusists doing this with some measure of success.
There are excellent hosta books you can find. I would try to make this a challenge for both of you. Research the plant and its history together. Engage your mom rather than surprise her. Your time and interest is a greater gift. This project could keep her hands and her mind busy. She could take notes on your success and failures and share that knowledge too. Look at this as an adventure..a challenge...engage her in that with you. Good medicine.
Blessings
Sha

I grow my Hostas in a green room year round so for the dormancy period I emmulate a fall pattern by storing the root ball in my fridge for a short period of a week or so and then I Freeze it for a few days and then I plant the frozen root ball back in its container and let it thaw in my green room and start the process all over again, well, that is my theory anyway as I am in the process of my first attempt right now. I don't see why it wouldn't work with maybe a few adjustments but we'll see. I will keep ya posted.

I have had alot of success grow plants strictly inside under a HPS and Metal Halide 1,000 watt light, even veggies and fruit trees so this Hosta deal may just work as I kind of fancy my cleverness...... Happy Growing!

I moved here from Wisconsin and too had a bumper crop of hostas. Could you please tell me what time of the year did you cut them back, refrigerate and freeze them? I don't believe I can find hostas here in the Phoenix area, but maybe able to order the bulbs. Thank you.

I live in Tucson. I did not know hostas need chill hours. I bought one at Home Depot and stuck it in the ground in a shady spot at the apartment where I used to live. It lived for the 10 years while I was there. It was fine. Tucson actually gets many nights below 40 in the winter.

I have 80+ hosta varieties and they are beautiful. I live in Prescott Valley so it is colder than the Tucson area and therefore have the normal cycle of dormancy. In the winter a little while after they frost I will take in the mini's and the ones potted in nice pots. I do this to protect the pots so they don't freeze and crack. I store them in the garage until spring when I see them starting to send up pips. I will check them occasionally to see if they need a little water.